Section 23 InterpretationI1

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

• “the 1978 Act” means the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29);

• F1“the 2021 Act” means the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act 2021;

• “the Agency” has the meaning given by section 5(2)(c);

• “the Charter” means the Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities published under section 1;

• “health care” means services provided under the health service F2or under the 2021 Act;

• “health care principles” has the meaning given by section 6(1);

• “the health service” means the health service established in pursuance of section 1 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947 (c. 27);

• “health service function” means

  1. (a)

     F3any function under or by virtue of the 1978 Act which is a function concerned with, or connected to, the health service;

  2. (b)

     F4the functions conferred by the 2021 Act;

• F5“patient” includes (except in sections 8 to 13) a person in relation to whom a Health Board is exercising the functions conferred by the 2021 Act;

• “patient advice and support service” is to be construed in accordance with section 18(1);

• “relevant NHS body” has the meaning given by section 5(2).

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, terms used in this Act and the 1978 Act have the same meaning as they have in the 1978 Act.